Feeding apparatus



Dec. 8, 1964 c. E. KERR 3,160,316

FEEDING APPARATUS Original Filed July 23, 1958 e Sheets-Sheet i INVENTOR CHARLES E. KERR ATTO RN E Y Dec. 8, 1964 c. E. KERR 3,160,316

FEEDING APPARATUS Original Filed July 25, less 6 Sheets-Sheet a F'IB 2E! INVENTOR (9 CHARLES E.KERR

BY W

ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1964 c. E. KERR FEEDING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed July 23, 1958 vv o. o 03 N3 0 O ova QVN wm ovu uvu NV 0 o a o a o u o D O O O D O 0 man x o a O Pam o a 0 g 0 O O 0 O O 6 F O 0 man 9N vu mvw wmm v ovm ovkru [WW ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1964 c. E. KERR 3,160,316

FEEDING APPARATUS Original Filed July 23; 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 as v 85 202 gm mvsm'on CHARLES e. KERR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,160,316 FEEDING AIPARATUS Charles E. Kerr, St. ltetershurg, Fia., assignor to FMC Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Griginal application .iulyZS, 1058, Ser. No. 750,420, new Patent No. 3,016,807, dated Jan. 16, 1%2. Divided and this application .Mar. 31, 1961, Ser. No. 99,774 11 Claims. (61. 221-225} This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 750,420, filed July 23, 1958 and entitled Carton Handling Machine, now Patent No. 3,016,807.

This invention relates to carton handling machines and more particularly to automatic machines for feeding cartons in a folded condition to a carton closing and erecting mechanism.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved carton feeding machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine that receives a supply of carbns in a folded or collapsed condition and feeds them successively to a carton erecting mechanism.

Another object is to provide a carton handling machine of the character described that is completely automatic and'which is capable of fully dependable, high speed operation. x i 0 Another object is to provide an improved mechanism for withdrawing flat, folded cartons successively from a supply of the same within a storage magazine.

Another object is to provide an improved gate mechanism for a folded carton storage magazine that facilitates the removal of the cartons singly from the magazine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan of the carton handling machine incorporating the feeding'apparatus of the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are enlarged fragmentary elevations which, when assembled end to end, together form a side elevation of the carton handling machine of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are fragmentary sections which, when assembled end to end, together form a longitudinal, vertical section of the carton handling machine.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section of part of the mechanism for discharging cartons singly from the supply magazine,

taken along lines 44 of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5 is a section along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevation of the carton releasing gate of the storage magazine, viewed as indicated by the lines 66 of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section along lines 7--7 of FIG. 6.

The present invention .is adaptable by dimensional modification, and possibly other minor re-design that does not constitute departure from the operational principles involved, to operate upon cartons of differet kinds. A typical example of the cartons that can be handled by a machine incorporating the principles of the present invention are the large cartons in which a number of small cartons, usually a dozen or a multiple of a dozen, are

commonly enclosed for shipment and for sale in wholesale quantities, or in which a number of cans of milk, fruit,

the otherside Wall and the other end wall, respectively, which likewise are in planar alignment with each other. When so folded, the top and bottom closure flaps project from their respective side and end walls in planar alignment therewith. I I

Described in general terms, the carton handling machine with which the feeding mechanism of the invention is associated includes a supply magazine A (FIGS 1, 2A, and 3A) adapted to receive andstore a number of cartons in the above-described flat, folded condition and in superimposed relation. The cartons are withdrawn one at a time from the bottom of the stack within the magazine A with the aid of a presser machanism B and a gate mechanism C (FIGS. 1 and 3A) that cooperate with a first conveyor D (FIGS. 1, 2A and 3A) to deliver the folded cartons successively to a second, or main conveyor E (FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B,). The two conveyors cooperate with each other in initiating the operation of opening, or unfolding, each carton. This operation occurs at an opening station F adjacent the receiving end of the main conveyor E.

. When unfolded, the, carton is carried toward the rear of the machine by the conveyor E with the side walls of the carton disposed horizontally and the end walls ver-' tically, one of the end walls being in the lead so that the longitudinal axis of the carton is parallel to its direction of advance. The closure flaps project laterally rom the body of the carton, each stillin planar align: ment with its respective side or end wall, as the case might be. Each carton is propelled in this position to and through a closure flap manipulating station G (FIGS. 1, 2B, and-3B) where thefour fiaps at one side of the carton, saythe side which is destined tobecome the bottom, are folded inward to, or nearly to, their closing position. Likewise at the manipulating station G, the vertically disposed end wall flaps at the opposite side of the carton are folded outward so that when the carton reaches a position of alignment with a case loading machine H (FIG. 1) the carton can, without interference from the flaps, be shifted laterally of the conveyor by a pusher mechanism I (FIGS. 1 and 2B) to dispose the delivery chute of the case loader within the thus opened side of the carton. The loaded carton is returned to position for advancement on the conveyor E, by the continued action of the case loader in pushing into the carton a charge of thearticles to be encased therein; and the filled carton is carried to a tipping mechanism K (FIGS. 1, 2B,

vegetables, pet food, or the like, are handled. Such cartons are characterized by a body portion of rectangular, tubular form, dimensioned to contain a number of cans, boxes or other packages, and a top flap and a bottom flap hinged along fold lines to the upper and lower edges, respectively, of each of the four Walls of the body These cartons, commonly called shipping and 3B) which operates to tip the carton ina manner disposing it right side up and to place it upon atake-away conveyor L (FIG. 1) or other means for disposing of the filled carton.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2A, 23, 3A and 3B all components of the carton handling machine are mounted upon a frame 30 including two horizontally extending side bars 32, of rectangular cross section (FIG. 1) supported on legs 34 and held rigidly in spaced, parallel relation by transverse bars'36 (FIGS. 1, 3A, 3B), at least two. of which preferably interconnect two opposed legs 34 at points somewhat below the level of the side bars 32thus leaving between the side bars 32 suitable working clearance for certain operative parts .of the machine, the details of which are not important to the present invention. An extension 38 of the frame 3il includes two channel members 40 (FIGS. 2B and 33) secured to and projecting rearward from two of the transverse bars 36 (FIGS. 3A and 3B) and supported at their rear ends by a pedestal 42 (FIGS. 2B and 3B) whose lower endis rigidly secured to a foot plate 44.-

The Supply Magazine A The magazine A (FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3A) is mounted upon the forward end of the frame 30 and includes a longitudinally slotted bottorn'plate 519 and front and rear walls 52 and d, respectively, each of which is provided with flanges 56 projecting inward from its lateral edges. vThe magazine A is supported by two spaced brackets 58 (FIG. 2A) and 58a (FIG. 3A) se-1 cured to the bottom plate Strand projecting rearward therefrom for engagement'upon a shaft 60 (FIG. 3A)

that extends rotatablyqthrough the two brackets, 58 and 58a. The shaft 69 is journalled at its ends in bearings 62 (one of which is shown. in FIG. 2A), each of which is mounted on one ofthe side bars 32 of the frame 3%. Thus the supply magazine A is mounted for pivotal adjustment aboutthe transverse'shaft 60. ,The magazine A is adapted to be rigidly secured in position sloping downward and rearward at selected slope, by means of a pair of supporting straps 64 (FIG. 2A) and'd la (FIG. 3A) each of which is pivotally connected attits upper end'to the magazine bottom plate 50 and both ofwhich are adjustably connected to one of the transverse bars 36 of the frame 30 by bolts. 66 extending through the bar 36 and through vertically elongate slots 68 in the straps 64 and 64a, respectively, adjacent their lower ends.

A second shaft 76 (FIGS. 2A andv 3A) -is mounted adjacent the end of the magazinebottom' plate 51 that is opposite the shaftbtl. The shaft 70 ismounted for adjustment longitudinally of the bottom plate 569 by means of bearings 72 (one shown in FIGVZA) each of plate 50 and in ali'gnment with the longitudinalslot 78. thereof are sprockets 8t) and 82 (FIG. 3A) mounted on the shaftsrtl and 70, respectively; Since the sprocket 82 is the driving sprocket .of the conveyor D, it is rigidly secured to the shaft '70. However, since the sprocket 80 is merely an idler sprocket it can be mounted to rotate I freely upon the shaft 60. A conveyor chain $4 is trained around the two sprockets 80 and 82, therparts beingtso 4 forward ends. The countershaft 102 is likewise provided with a sprocket 1116 that'is connected by a chain 108 to a'driven sprocket 110 on the shaft 70 of the conveyor D. v

' a The Presser'Mechanism B As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3A, the presser mechanisrn B is mounted partly on the front wall 52 of the magazine A and partly upon the end of the magazine bottom 59 that projects forward beyond the front wall 52.

The part of the presser mechanism B that is mounted I upon the magazine wall 52 includes an elongate block 120 that is mounted for vertical, longitudinally reciprocatory movement on the outer or forward face of the front wall 52 of the magazine at the lowermost end thereof by means ends of the finger 124, and thefing'er 124 is constantly urged to rotate counterclockwise as lviewed in FIG.. 3A by means ofa spring. 1313 (FIGS. 3A and 5) under compressionbetween the front face of the block 120 and one of two cooperating jam nuts 132 screwed'onto a threaded rod 134 that extends through the'spring130 and is engaged with the upper end of the finger 124. I In 7 j a this manner, the lower end of the finger 124 is constantly,

but yieldably', urged rearwardly of the machine, through a vertical slot 136m the magazine front wall 52.

i The lower end of the finger 124- is formed with a 1 tapered presser foot 138 having a fiat under surface and proportioned and arranged that the upper run of the a conveyor chain 84 lies within the slot 78 (FIG. 5) of the magazine bottom plate where. it is slidably supported in substantially rectilinear configuration by a channel member 86 bridging the slot'78and thus interconnecting the two halves of thebottorn plate 59.. Preferably, the channel member 86 is of relatively heavy construction and is provided with coplanar flanges 88 that extend substantially to the outer lateral edges of the bottom plate 5% so aslto provide suitable stiffening reinforcement for the same.

Each of the bearings 72. in which the shaft 70 is, mounted is provided with an adjusting screw 89 associatedtherewith in the well known manner, so that the chain 84 can be properly tensioned.

Pusher lugs 90 are provided onthe. conveyor chain v 84;-

at suitable intervals throughout the length thereof. each pusher lugl9tl 'is advanced longitudinally'of the slot 78 in the magazine bottom its upper end projects above the level of the magazine bottom 50, theidistance that it so projects being substantially equal to the thickness unit (not shown). A driving sprockettnot shown) on the output shaft (not shown) of'said speed reduction unit is connectedby a drive chain @Sto a sprocket 100 (FIG. 3A) on a countershaft 102 journalled in suitable bearings 104 (FIG. 2A) on the'frame side barsj32 adjacent their A an upper surface so inclined that when the block 120 is slid upward, the sloping uppersurfaceof the presser foot 138 engages the forward ends of those folded cartons at the bottom of the magazine A in a manner causing the presser foot 138 to be cammed forward, i.e., to a position where the. presser foot will slide past the edge of each folded" carton without exerting any'lifting effect thereupon, similarly to the manner in which alratchet tooth operates. However, upon clearing each carton as the block 121) moves upward, the presser foot 133 is forced rearwardly again by the spring 130 so that when the block 125} moves downward, the flat under surface of the presser foot will engage upon the upper'surface of the folded carton therebelow and cause the corresponding region of 1 that carton, as well as the corresponding regions of any cartons below theione engaged by the presser foot, to be pressed downward firmlysojas to enhance the security with whichthe lowermost carton inthe stack will be engaged by the next pusher'lug $9 to pass under'the wall 52 of the'magazine.

The part of the presser mechanism B that is mounted upon the magazine bottoin' plate includes a pair of bracketsieti (FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3A) upstanding from the bottom plate 553 and carrying a short, transversely extending shaft 142 (FIGS. 2A and 3A). Carried by the shaft 142 for pivotal movement about the axis thereof is an operating lever 144' including a rearwardly projecting rod 146 and a forwardly and downwardly inclined sector ed on the shaft 142 is an arm 15%? that is adaptedto be migidly secured to the operating lever 144 by a bolt 152 screwed'into the arm 15!! and extending through a cleara'nceslot, lS i in' the sector plate 148. The slot is arcuateabout'a center lying within the axis of the shaft 142. The arm 15b is of such length thatia cam follower roller 156 :(EIG. 3A) rotatably mounted upon its lower end is adapted to be engaged'by a cam 158 rigid'with the conveyor drive shaft '74). V t

The parts are so proportioned and arranged that just before a pusher lug passes rearwardly'under the front wall 52 of the magazinmthe high lobe of the cam 158 engages the roller156 causingthe operating lever 144 to turn clockwise (FIG. 3A) about the axis of the shaft i 142 and thus pushing the block 12% downward. The connection between the operating lever 146 and the block 126 includes a rod 169 (FlGS. 4 and 5) that is vertically reciprocable within a bore 162 within the block 12% and having a socket 163 in its lower end. The upper end of a coil spring 164 is seated within the socket 163 while the lower end of the spring 164- bears against a plug 166 firmly secured to the block 121? within the lower end of the bore 162. Thus, the spring 164 constantly resists downward motion of the rod 160 relative to the block 12d.

The rear end 167 of the rod 146 is rounded and extends through a slot 163 in the forward face of the block 120 and is seated within a diametrical slot 169 in the rod 166. Thus, when the operating lever 144 is turned clockwise as hereinabove described, the block 120 is forced downward, carrying with it the finger 124 until the presser foot 138 encounters a carton and compresses the, same with a force determined by the strength of the spring 164, after which the block 125? can continue to move downward as determined by the height of the lobe of the cam 158 without exerting any pressure upon the compressed carton, or cartons, as the case might be, in excess of the strength of the spring 164.

The cam follower roller 156 is held against the cam 158, thus causing the block 12a to rise when the lobe of the cam 15S turns outof engagement with the roller 156, by a spring 170 under compression between the rod 146 and a washer suitably immobilized on a rod 172 extending rigidly upward from the magazine bottom plate 50 and axially through the spring 176.

Gate Mechanism C As hereinabove mentioned, the function of the gate mechanism C is to release one carton, and only one, at a time, so that the folded cartons can be successively propelled from the magazine A onto the main conveyor E. For this purpose, the gate mechanism C is mounted partly upon the rear wall 54 of the magazine A and partly upon the underside of the channel member 86 of the bottom plate 56, immediately below the magazine wall 54. Each carton being propelled rearwardly of the machine by a pusher lug 90 of the conveyor 84 must pass between these two parts of the gate mechanism C.

The part of the gate mechanism C that is mounted upon the magazine wall 54 includes two gauge bars 186. Each of the gauge bars 18% (FIGS. 3A, 6 and 7) is of L-shaped configuration including a stem 182 slidably mounted upon the inner surface of the magazine wall 54 and a foot portion 184 extending below the lower edge of the wall 54, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 7. The stem 182 of each gauge bar 184) is slidaoly mounted for reciprocatory movement toward and away from the magazine bottom plate 54} by means of shoulder screws 186 (FIGS. 3A, 6 and 7) that extend slidably through vertically elongate slots 188 in the magazine wall 54 and are screwed tightly against the stem 182 of the associated gauge bar 18%.

Welded or otherwise rigidly secured to'the outer face of the magazine wall 54 is an angle bracket 1% in operative association with each of the gauge bars 180. A guide rod 1% extends slidably through the leg of the angle bracket 1% that projects outward from the wall 54. The lower end of the guide rod 192 is secured to the foot portion 184 of the associated gauge bar and a coil spring 19 i encircling the rod 192 and under compression be- ,tween the bracket 1% and the foot portion 184 constantly zine bottom plate 5% that one folded carton can pass freely under the same but more than one can not.

The part of the gate mechanism C that is mounted on the channel member 86 is a leaf spring 2% disposed directly below each foot portion 134. Both leaf springs.

sociated foot 184. Moreover, the upwardly inclined end 2% extends upward and rearward beyond the end of the foot 184 where it is curved to provide a rounded shoulder over which a carton can slide without harm to the carton.

The parts are so proportioned and arranged that the forward part of the upper portion 204 of each leaf spring is parallel to the associated foot 184 and is spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a folded carton, thus providing a space adapted to receive the leading edge of a folded carton when the same is carried rearward by one of the pusher lugs 90. When the leading edge ofthe carton engages the inclined portions 2% of the leaf springs 20!) the springs are deflected downward, permitting the carton to pass between. the

springs and the foot portions 1&4 of the gauge bars. However, the leaf springs 2% exert such frictional resist.- ance to such movement of the carton as to insure that the carton is in firm contact with the pusher lug when the carton is discharged from the magazine A. This assures accurate timing of carton release.

When the trailing edge of a carton thus being propelled out from under a stack of cartons within the magazine A' passes the terminal ends of the foot portion 184 of the gauge bars 180, the trailing edge of the carton is snapped vigorously upward by the projecting after ends of the leaf springs 2%, thus insuring prompt and accurately timed release of the folded carton from the pusher lug.

The Main Conveyor E The main conveyor Ecomprises a pair of endless chains 210 (FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 33) each of which is trained around three sprockets 212, 214, and 216, respectively (FIGS. 3A and 3B). The sprockets 212 (one of which is shown in FIG. 3A) are driving sprockets for the respective chains 21%, being secured to a lower countershaft 218 which is driven by a chain 220 trained around a driven sprocket (not shown) rigid with the countershaft 213 and around a second sprocket (not shown)v secured to the hereinbefore mentioned output shaft of the speed reduction unit associated with the motor 94. The sprockets 214 (FIGS. 2A and 3A) are driven sprockets that impart rotation to an upper countershaft 224 to which they are rigidlysecured. 'The sprocketsx216 are idler sprockets carried by a shaft 225 (FIGS. l,2B, and 3B) journalled in bearings'226 (FIG. 2B) slidably mounted in slots 227 in the channel members as of the frame extension 38 at the rear end of the machine. Adjusting screws 2% are associated with the bearings .226 in the well known manner to properly tension the conveyor chains Parallel rails 23% and 236a (FIGSfl, 2B, 3A and 3B slidably support the cartons as they progress through the opening station F and the flap manipulating station G. The rail 230 extends clear to the rear end 'of the machine, but the rail 23% is considerably shorter, terminating at a point that causes each carton to slide ofi the rear end of the rail 23% as the carton comes into alignment with the case loader H. The chains 210 are each provided with laterally projecting rollers 232 (FIG. 2A), and while the part of either chain to which anyone of the rollers is attached is in the upper run of the chain, that roller is supported upon the upper flange 234 of the associated channel member 49, and is prevented from being raised therefrom by the horizontal flange 236 of an angle bar .238. The angle bars 238 and the rails 23% and 23th: are

supported upon the channel members 40.

Each chain 210 is provided with a plurality of carton erecting and propelling fingers 246, each of which is transversely aligned with a companion finger 246 on the opposite chain 210. 'Each finger 240 is rigidly securedto one of the links of the associated chain 21am suchaposition that throughout the time that the link is within the upper run of the chain the finger projects vertically upward therefrom. Each finger 240 has a bar 242 pivoted at one end thereto and projecting rearwardly therefrom-, i;e., in

the direction opposite to the direction in which the finger advances when the conveyor E is in operation. The pivoted end of each bar 242 is loosely seated within a notch 244 in a lateral side'of the associated finger 2&0, the arrangement being such that when the part of the associated chain on which the finger is mounted is in the upper, rearwardly moving run of the chain the bar 242 rests againstone side of the associated notch 244 and is held therebyin a'position projecting substantially horizontally rearward from the finger, 'but after passing around the associated sprocket 216 the bar 242- is free'to pivot under the influence of gravity to a position of oblique angularity with the finger as. shown inthe lower portion of FIGSZB and 3B. The erecting and propelling fingers 240are so spaced apart on their chains 2ft? that the distance between each' finger Zitaud the trailing end of the bar 242 of the preceding finger 249 is equal to the longitudinal dimension of one of the cartons after the carton has been erected by the machine. .Thus, each finger and the bar 242 of the preceding finger cooperate to definea carton receiving pocket on the conveyor E within which brace bar sea adjacent its rear. end can'rest upon the inboard end of the arm 274.

' The overhead chains are driven by a chain 278 (FIGS. 1 and 2A) trained around a sprocket 28%) (FIG. 2A) rigid with the countershaft 102 and around a sprocket 2S2 (FIG-. BA) rigid with a sleeve (not shown) that is rotatable upon a stub shaft 286 carried by one of the plates 268'.

2% (FIG. 1) on theshaft'256 of the :overhead chains 25%. The ratios of the several gears involved in the drive for the overhead chains 250 are such'that the linear speed of the chains 250 is the same as that of the chains 21%;

-and-in View of the presenceof the reversing gear in this an erected cartoncan be propelled by the conveyor to- J Ward the rear of the machine. a

, In the opening or erecting station F of the'machine,

the lower portion of each carton is kept in proper alignment by longitudinally extending guides .246 (FIGS. 3A'

and 3B) which are adjustably mounted on the machine frame 39 by supporting rods 248 (FIG. 1). A pair of overhead endless chains 250 (FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B) cooperate with the fingers 24A} and bars 242 in guiding and propelling the cartons through the machine. Each of the overhead chains 250 is trainedaround longitudinally spaced sprockets 252 and 254, respectively, carried by shafts 256 and. 258, respectively. The two" shafts 256 and 258 are suitably journalled in bearings 260and 262, respectively (FIGS. 3A and 3B). mounted in fixed position at oneend of a tubular brace bar 254 of rectangular cross section while thebearing 262 is -slidab ly mounted within the opposite end of the brace bar and is provided with an adjusting screw 265 in association therewith in the well known manner to enable the overhead chains 250 to be properly tensioned.

Each of the overhead chains 250 is provided with upstanding pusher lugs 266 spaced apart thereon distances equal to the spacing between each erecting finger 246i and the trailing end of the preceding bar 242. Moreover, each pusher lug 266' on either overhead chain 250 is The bearing 266 is drive, the lower runs of the chains 2563 move in the same direction as the upper runs ofthe chains 210.

p H Operation 7 f Whereas the m'anner of operation of each of the constituent parts of the 'carton feeding mechanism of the invention has been explained hereinabove in connection with the description of the construction thereof, understanding the operation of the mechanism maybe facilitated by the following description of the feeding of a single carton therefrom. i

It will be assumed that the motor 94 is in operation. When a pusher lug 99 of the supply magazine conveyor Dpasses under the front wall 52 of the'magazine A the lowermost carton will engage within the notch 92 of that pusher lug, suchengagement being facilitated and made more positive by the action of the presser mechanism B, as hereinabove explained. A single folded carton is, therefore, propelled out from under the remainder of the stackof cartons Within the magazine A between the gauge bars 18? and the springs 2%, which are efifective in preventing more than one carton from leaving the magazine A at a time, and delivered to the carton opening station F.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shownland described it will be understood that the apparatus 'is capable of modification and variation without departing from the principles of the invention and transversely aligned with a companion pusher lug on the other overhead chain 250 and the conveyor chains 210 and 250 are so related to each other that when the parts of the overhead chains 250 bywhich' a pair of pusher lugs 266 are carried are in the lower runs of the chains 256,

the leading edges'of that pair of lugs 266 are in planar j alignment with-the leading edges of a pair of erecting and propelling fingers 240 immediately therebelow.

The overhead chains 256 are mounted at such height above the main conveyor E that the lowe'rruns of the chains 25% rest upon the upper surface of an'erected carton on the conveyor E and thereby aid in holding the carton in position upon the conveyor E.

that the scope of the invention should be limited only by the scope and proper interpretation ofthe claims appended hereto. 7

The invention having thus been described, what is believed to be new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent'isr I I 1. In a carton handling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain a stack of collapsed cartons and including. a longitudinally slotted bottom, a chain extending longitudinally of the slot in said magazine bottom, means fordriving said chain, a

pusher lug projecting upward-from the chain beyond the plane of the upper surface of the magazine bottom to engage the lowermost carton in. said stack, presser means vertically reciprocable within said magazine and engageable with one of the collapsed cartons therein to press the same downward and thereby retain said lower- 7. most carton in position for engagement by' said pusher The supporting means for the overhead chains 256 ineludes a pair of longitudinally extending plates 268.

Each plate 263 carries a bearing 274) (FIGS. 1 and 2A) 'at its rear end and the shaft 256 is journalled in the two 'lug, and drive means for reciprocating said presser means.

2. In a carton handling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain a stack of collapsedcartons and including a longitudinally slotted bottom, a chain extending longitudinally of the'slot in said magazine bottom, means for driving said chain, a pusher lug projecting upward from the chain beyond theplane of the upper surface of the magazine bottom The sleeve. also has a' reversing gear (not shown) secured thereto which is enmeshed with a gear to engage the lowermost carton in said stack, presser means vertically reciprocable within said magazine and engageable with one of the collapsed cartons therein to press the same downward and thereby retain said lowermost carton in position for engagement by said pusher lug, and means for reciprocating said presser means in timed relation with said chain driving means.

3. In a cartonhandling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain a stack of collapsed cartons and including a longitudinally slotted bottom and a wall extending upward therefrom, a pusher lug projecting upward through said slot, means for moving the pusher lug along the slot, presser means mounted on said wall for vertical reciprocation and for horizontal movement, yieldable means urging said presser means inwardly of the magazine to a position for engagement with one of the collapsed cartons, and means for vertically reciprocating said presser means, said reciprocating means being operative to move the presser means downward as the pusher lug passes under said wall to press the lowermost carton against the magazine bottom and positively into position to be engaged by said pusher lug.

4. In a carton handling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain a stack of collapsed cartons and including a longitudinally slotted bottom and a wall extending upward therefrom, a pusher lug projecting upward through said slot, means for moving the pusher lug along the slot, a presser foot mounted on said wall for vertical reciprocation and for horizontal movement, said presser foot having a substantially horizontal carton engaging undersurface and an upper, camming surface sloping downward and inward of the magazine to the inner end of the presser foot, said camming surface being engageable with an edge of a collapsed carton to cam the presser foot outwardly of the magazine to clear the carton engaged thereby as the presser foot moves upward, yieldable means urging said presser foot inwardly of the magazine to a position for engagement with one of the collapsed cartons as the presser foot moves downward, and means for vertically reciprocating said presser foot, said reciprocating means being operative to move the presser foot downward as the pusher lug passes under said wall to press the lowermost carton against the magazine bottom and positively into position to be engaged by said pusher lug.

5. In a carton handling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain a stack of collapsed cartons, a pusher lug projecting into the magazine in position to engage a carton in said stack, means for moving said pusher lug to propel a carton engaged thereby out of the magazine, and resilient gripping means disposed on opposite sides of the path of movement of the lug for slidably engaging the underside of a carton being propelled out of said magazine to resist movement thereof and thereby maintain the carton in engagement with the pusher lug.

6. In a carton handling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain a stack of collapsed cartons and including a longitudinally slotted bottom and a wall extending upward therefrom, a chain extending longitudinally of said slot in the magazine bottom, means for driving said chain, a pusher lug projecting upward from the chain beyond the plane of the upper surface of the magazine bottom to engage the lowermost carton in said stack and propel the same outward from under the remainder of the stack and under said Wall, and resilient gripping means for slidably engaging the underside of a carton being propelled under said wall to cooperate with said wall to resist movement of the carton and thereby maintain engagment of said pusher lug therewith.

7. In a carton handling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain a stack of collapsed cartons and having a laterally opening discharge slot therein, a pusher lug projecting into the magazine in position to engage a predetermined number of cartons in said stack, means for moving said pusher lug to propel said predetermined number of cartons engaged thereby out of the magazine through said discharge slot, a gauge bar mounted on said magazine adjacent said discharge slot in position to limit to said predetermined' number the number of collapsed car-tons that can pass through said slot at a time, and a resilient strip mounted at its inner end on said magazine and projecting parallel to said gauge bar at a distance therefrom corresponding substantially to the thickness of said predetermined number of collapsed cartons, the outer end' of said resilient strip being inclined outwardly of the magazine and toward said gauge bar to slidably engage the underside of a carton being propelled out of said magazine to cooperate Wi-th said gauge bar to resist movement of said carton and thereby maintain the carton in engagement with the pusher lug.

8. In a carton handling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain 'a stack of collapsed cartons and having a laterally opening discharge slot therein, a pusher lug projecting into the magazine in position to engage a carton in said stack and having a notch in its front face within which an edge of the carton seats, means for moving said pusher lug to propel the carton out of the magazine through said dis charge slot, a gauge bar mounted on said magazine adjacent said discharge slot in position to block passage of all but said one collapsed carton from passage through said slot, and a resilient strip mounted at its inner end on said magazine and projecting below said gauge bar at a distance therefrom corresponding substantially to the thickness of one of the collapsed cartons, the outer end of said resilient strip being inclined outwardly of the magazine and upward to slidably engage the underside of a carton being propelled out of said magazine to co operate with said gauge bar to resist movement of said carton and thereby maintain the carton in engagement with the pusher arm with an edge of the carton seated in said notch, said outer end of the resilient strip projecting upward beyond the gauge bar .to snap said edge of the carton out of said notch when the edge passes beyond the gauge bar.

9. In a cartonhandling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain a stack of collapsed cartons, a chain extending longitudinally of and beneath the said magazine, means for driving said chain, a pusher lug projecting upward from the chain to en gage the lowermost carton in said stack, presser means positioned adjacent the lowermost edge of said stack and being vertically reciprocable within said magazine and engageable with one of the collapsed cartons at the said lowermost edge of the stack to press the same downward and thereby retain said lowermost carton in position for engagement by said pusher lug, and means for reciproeating said presser means to cause it to successively engage different ones of the cartons at the lowermost edge of the magazine as cartons are removed therefromby said pusher ing.

10. In a carton handling machine, feeding apparatus comprising a magazine adapted to contain a stack of collapsed cartons, continuous conveying means extending across one end of said magazine, means for continuously driving said conveying means, a pusher lug projecting from said conveying means in a direction to engage the endmost carton in said stack, presser means positioned adjacent said end of said magazine and being mounted for reciprocable movement along the direction of said stack and being engageable with one of the collapsed cartons in said stack near said conveying means to compress the same and thereby retain said endmost carton in a compressed position for immediate engagement by said pusher lug, means for reciprocating said presser means to cause it to successively engage different ones of the collapsed cartons in the stack near said conveying lug, and resilient means associated with said presser,

means to urge-said presser means inwardly of said magazine and between adjacent collapsed cartons and to al low said presser means to move past a collapsed carton as it is reciprocated away from said conveying means. a

11. In a carton feed mechanism of the type in which a pusher lug moves through an opening in an, end of a carton supply housing to engage the endmost collapsed carton at the bottom of a stack of cartons in the housing havinga portion movable downwardly and inwardly of said housing between adjacent collapsed cartons to engage one of the cartons in said housing near said pusher lug and force it into a compressed position at least partially separated from the cartons in the stack thereahove and whereby said endmost carton in said housing is compressed in the path of movement of said pusher lug.

References Cited the file oft his patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Tanner Mar. 27, 1917 1,943,444 Knowlton Ian. 16, 1934 2,726,013 Rice er a1. Dec. 6, 1955 2,826,411 I Monroe et a1. Mar. 11, 1958 

1.IN A CARTON HANDLING MACHINE, FEEDING APPARATUS COMPRISING A MAGAZINE ADAPTED TO CONTAIN A STACK OF COLLAPSED CARTONS AND INCLUDING A LONGITUDINALLY SLOTTED BOTTOM, A CHAIN EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF THE SLOT IN SAID MAGAZINE BOTTOM, MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CHAIN A PUSHER LUG PROJECTING UPWARD FROM THE CHAIN BEYOND THE PLANE OF THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE MAGAZINE BOTTOM TO ENGAGE THE LOWERMOST CARTON IN SAID STACK, PRESSER MEANS VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE WITHIN SAID MAGAZINE AND ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE OF THE COLLAPSED CARTONS THEREIN TO PRESS THE SAME DOWNWARD AND THEREBY RETAIN SAID LOWER MOST CARTON IN POSITION FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID PUSHER LUG, AND DRIVE MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID PRESSER MEANS. 